Cussonia thyrsiflora

Cussonia thyrsiflora, known as the Cape coast cabbage tree, or Kaapse kuskiepersol^[1] in Afrikaans, is a small evergreen tree in the family Araliaceae.

Cape coast cabbage tree
A small C. thyrsiflora specimen in cultivation
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Araliaceae
Genus:	Cussonia
Species:	C. thyrsiflora
Binomial name
Cussonia thyrsiflora Thunb.

Range

It naturally occurs in South Africa along the southern Cape coast, between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

Habit

It can be grown as an attractive shrub or tree for coastal gardens, as it can withstand beach soils and winds. However, it also thrives in acidic or clay soils. It is normally a thick evergreen shrub with bisexual yellow flowers and black fruits, however it can be pruned to allow it to grow as a proper tree of up to 5 meters. ^[2]

Upright stems of C. thyrsiflora, with foliage clustered at their tips